Olean, NY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Olean, Cattaraugus County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Olean?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 208 days in the Cattaraugus forecast zone and Cattaraugus County — the most common reported hazard around Olean, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (157 days) and flash flooding (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 208 | Jan 2026 | Nov 21, 2000 · $10 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 157 | Jun 2026 | Jul 13, 2021 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 51 | Jul 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · 1 death · $45 million damage |
| High winds | 45 | Mar 2026 | Oct 31, 2019 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2019 | Jan 19, 1996 · $2.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | May 2004 | May 9, 2004 · $35,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Nov 2002 | Nov 17, 2002 · $30,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Cattaraugus forecast zone and Cattaraugus County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Olean get?
A normal year brings about 65 inches of snow to Olean, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Olean weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (17.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 6.3 | 14.9 | 17.6 | 13.7 | 10.1 | 1.8 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Olean?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 62 miles north-northwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Olean | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 62 mi north-northwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCCX State College, PA | 83 mi south-southeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 126 mi east | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Olean
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 23 tornadoes within 25 miles of Olean, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on June 20, 1969, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 59 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 31, 1985.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Olean's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Olean radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Olean, NY?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 62 miles north-northwest. KCCX (State College, PA) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Olean?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Olean the lowest scan from KBUF is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Olean free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Olean, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Allegany, NY radar 3 mi
- Cuba, NY radar 12 mi
- Bolivar, NY radar 14 mi
- Salamanca, NY radar 17 mi
- Franklinville, NY radar 17 mi
- Little Valley, NY radar 22 mi
- Wellsville, NY radar 25 mi
- Delevan, NY radar 28 mi
- Arcade, NY radar 31 mi
- Springville, NY radar 32 mi